O'Malley Pleads Guilty To Obscenity Charge

CLEVELAND -- Cuyahoga County Recorder Patrick O'Malley resigned on Thursday, NewsChannel5 reported.

O'Malley, 49, pleaded guilty in federal court to a count of obscenity.

Two reliable sources with knowledge of the investigation said O'Malley cleared out his office on Wednesday, signaling his resignation.

Those sources told NewsChannel5 that O'Malley pleaded to a Bill of Particulars, which suggests a possible indictment.

The Bill of Particulars is an informal document in which prosecutors set forth the charges and give a detailed account of the facts to be proven in support of their case.

O'Malley is accused of downloading material that was considered lewd and obscene, which violated federal obscenity statute.

The downloading occurred over a four-year period ending in 2004.

O'Malley's attorney said the material did not involve any children, and that his client is accepting responsibility for it.

O'Malley is no stranger to federal investigations, NewsChannel5 reported. In 2004, the FBI raided his home to search for material containing child pornography.

O'Malley faces up to 5 years in prison when he is sentenced on Aug. 22. He is free on bond.